Arnold Grossblatt collection

Arnold Grossblatt (1924-1945) was born on May 4, 1924 in Baltimore, MD to Jacob Grossblatt (1898-1964) and Miriam Lamdin Grossblatt (1904-1995). Both of his parents were immigrants, his father from Lutsk, Ukraine, and his mother from Russia. Jacob “Jake” had been a tailor and then became a kosher butcher and Miriam worked alongside him in the shop. The family lived above the shop. Arnold had three sisters: Rosalie (b. 1933), Anita (1928-2017), and Beverly (1936-2020). Growing up, Arnold’s best friend was Harry “Rusty” Goldberg (1924-1970). Harry’s mother passed away young and he became close with the Grossblatt family and spent a lot of time in their home. Arnold and Harry were in the same class in school. After his service in the Army Air Corps, Harry married Arnold’s sister Anita. Arnold graduated from the Baltimore City College high school in 1942. He was in the Science and Commercial track and was an athlete playing both football and softball. After graduating he worked in his uncle Sol Klein’s automobile repair shop Klein’s Auto. Arnold enlisted in the Army on April 15, 1943. Arnold extensively documented his service in Europe with photographs from London; Épernay, France; Belgium; Bad Godesberg, Bonn, Germany; Buchenwald; Munich; Innsbruck, Austria; Berchtesgaden; Dachau; and Salach, Germany. His family received some letters from Arnold written in September, 1945 before and during a furlough in London. Arnold called his family on September 21, the first time he was able to do so since he had left for Europe. He was killed on September 29, 1945 when he was struck by an oncoming train after returning to Salach.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum collection, gift of the Family of Arnold Grossblatt

Donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2021 by the family of Arnold Grossblatt.